For the last two seasons, the reigning Super Bowl champion Baltimore Ravens have struggled at the left tackle position. On Wednesday, the team decided it could no longer rely on aging, overweight, and troubled Bryant McKinnie to man the spot any longer, and they acquired Eugene Monroe.
In return, Jacksonville will receive multiple third day draft picks.
The 26-year-old Monroe was a first-round draft choice out of the University of Virginia, and he has established himself as one of the better left tackles in the NFL despite playing on one of its worst teams. He is expected to help alleviate the woes that have placed the Ravens with the fifth lowest rushing total in the league as well as generally poor protection of the highly expensive Joe Flacco.
While this is a significant upgrade for the Ravens, it also represents resignation on the part of the Jaguars. The franchise is arguably the worst in the NFL, and dealing Monroe only leaves one player on the roster from any draft class between 2008 and 2010. The team is also reportedly looking at trading other valuable assets including running back Maurice Jones-Drew.